Genesis 4:17-26

17 And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and gave birth to Enoch. And when he built a city {he named the city after his son, Enoch}.

18 And to Enoch was born Irad, and Irad fathered Mehujael, and Mehujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered Lamech.

19 And Lamech took to himself two wives. The name of the first [was] Adah, and the name of the second [was] Zillah.

20 And Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who live in tents and [those who have] livestock.

21 And the name of his brother [was] Jubal; he was the father of all who play stringed instruments and wind instruments.

22 Then Zillah also gave birth to Tubal-Cain who forged all [kinds of] tools of bronze and iron. And the sister of Tubal-Cain [was] Naamah.

23 Then Lamech said to his wives, "Adah and Zillah, listen to my voice; O wives of Lamech, hear my words. I have killed a man for wounding me, Even a young man for injuring me.

24 If Cain is avenged sevenfold, Then Lamech [will be avenged] seventy and seven [times].

25 Then Adam knew his wife again, and she gave birth to a son. And she called his name Seth, for [she said] "God has appointed to me another child in the place of Abel, because Cain killed him."

26 And as for Seth, he also fathered a son, and he called his name Enosh. At that time he began to call on the name of Yahweh.

Genesis 4:17-26 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 4

In this chapter an account is given of the two eldest children of Adam and Eve, their names and calling, Ge 4:1,2 and of their different offerings to the Lord, and the different respect had unto them by him, which in Cain issued in wrath and envy, which appeared in his countenance, and were taken notice of by the Lord, and about which he reasoned with him, Ge 4:3-7 but it had no effect upon him, he murdered his brother, upon which he was examined about him, but denied he knew anything of him where he was, Ge 4:8,9 he is arraigned, convicted and condemned, sentence passed upon him, and that executed, which he complains of, and is mitigated, or however a protection is granted him, and a mark set on him for his security, Ge 4:10-15 after which we have an account of his posterity for several generations, their names, and the business of some of them, Ge 4:16-24 and the chapter is closed with the birth of another son, and of a grandson to Adam and Eve, in whose days was the beginning of social religion.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "had intercourse with"
• [b]. Literally "he called the name of the city as the name of his son, Enoch"
• [c]. Or "women"
• [d]. Or "And"
• [e]. Or "And"
• [f]. Or "And"
• [g]. Or "had intercourse with"
• [h]. Or "humankind," if the 3ms form is considered collective